The contract for the disbursement of the funding of the program “Replacement of oil heating systems with natural gas systems in houses of Thessaly Region with a budget of 6,12 million euros”, was signed between the Minister of Environment & Energy, Mr. Konstantinos Skrekas, and the General Manager of EDA THESS, Mr. Leonidas Bakouras.
This action concerns the cost granting of natural gas internal installation in residences to replace existing oil heating systems. Thousands of low – income families throughout Thessaly are part of the pioneering Program under the NSRF 2014 – 2020 of the Region of Thessaly and the NSRF staff structure of the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
The accelerated actions for the launch of the procedures are a result of the efficient cooperation between the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Region of Thessaly and EDA THESS.
«The possibility is given to more than 3,000 households in Thessaly to proceed with the installation of natural gas systems with the contract we signed today in cooperation with the Region of Thessaly and EDA THESS. We finance 65% of the internal installation, allowing low – income families to access natural gas, reducing by this way their heating costs. The protection of the environment is also strengthened, as natural gas is a much cleaner fuel than oil and other fossil fuels. In fact, the grant is up to 100% for very poor households”, noted the Minister of Environment and Energy, K. Skrekas.
From his part, the General Manager of EDA THESS, Mr. Bakouras, stated that: “During the implementation of the program, more than 3,300 applications have been submitted which may exceed the Action’s budget. A record of absorption of the program in Thessaly has already been registered, which tends to be completed much earlier than the deadline, as the citizens’ interest is quite intense in all of the 4 Prefectures of the Region. The possibility of including a corresponding program in the next NSRF will offer additional benefits and dynamic incentives to consumers to switch to the use of natural gas. We are in constant cooperation with the Ministry and the Region of Thessaly, and we take on initiatives that act beneficially for the consumers, the economy and the environment”.
Investments of EDA THESS for the development of natural gas distribution network within a critical and transitional period of national economy recovery, enhances growth, through saving of resources from the reduction of energy costs, and stimulates employment.
At the same time, the increasing penetration and use of natural gas – the dominant transition fuel for the post lignite era – accelerates the decarbonization of the country’s energy mix and supports the transition to a sustainable economy.
